Steve Fitch
Male Adder - Vipera berus
The adder is the only venomous snake native to Britain.
Adders have the most highly developed venom injecting mechanism of all snakes, but they are not aggressive animals. Adders will only use their venom as a last means of defence, usually if caught or trodden on.
No one has died from adder bite in Britain for over 20 years. With proper treatment, the worst effects are nausea and drowsiness, followed by severe swelling and bruising in the area of the bite. Most people who are bitten were handling the snake.
Like this one, Adders are shy non aggressive snakes and when they see you will turn and disappear into the undergrowth.
© All rights reserved Steve Fitch. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission.
Male Adder - Vipera berus
The adder is the only venomous snake native to Britain.
Adders have the most highly developed venom injecting mechanism of all snakes, but they are not aggressive animals. Adders will only use their venom as a last means of defence, usually if caught or trodden on.
No one has died from adder bite in Britain for over 20 years. With proper treatment, the worst effects are nausea and drowsiness, followed by severe swelling and bruising in the area of the bite. Most people who are bitten were handling the snake.
Like this one, Adders are shy non aggressive snakes and when they see you will turn and disappear into the undergrowth.
© All rights reserved Steve Fitch. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission.